Chili for Crowds!

Chili for Crowds!

I will soon be participating in a chili cook off that asks for at least 4 gallons worth. If there is anyone who could soon tell me what the proper amount of beef is for such a dish, I would very much appreciate it. I plan to also add 2 big onions, a pound or two of habaneros, hot pepper paste, and a few other spices in the mix.

Ann, my response fit the OP's post. Any reasonable person who plans to enter a chili cook-off wouldn't come to a message board and ask how much beef to use to make 4 gallons of chili. Chili cook-offs aren't a venue for experimentation. Participants go there to show off their chili recipes in hopes that it's a prize winner.

I responded the way I did because I didn't think that the OP could have been remotely serious, especially since anyone who makes chili knows that it's not just about how much beef to use in making chili, but in the combination of the ingredients used. Asking how much beef to use is about as silly as asking how much water to use without knowing anything else about the intended recipe, if there is an actual recipe to be used. Look at the rest of the post- "I plan to also add 2 big onions, a pound or two of habaneros, hot pepper paste, and a few other spices in the mix." What the heck? I didn't take it as someone asking a serious question.

Quite frankly I think it is a joke. Pretty obvious a dude want to know how much meat to add does not need to be there and in addition adding a pound or two of habanero's strikes me as hilarious. I make my own habanero powder out of my garden and a half a teaspoon in a gallon of spaghetti is way too much.

I am sorry but due to some issue, the site is making all my post double and it is impossible to stop it.

Paul, there are all kinds of strange things going on with the website in the last day or two. For instance, have you seen the numbers for the current active users at the bottom of this page? Obviously, these are being counter differently now.

I, too, didnt take it seriously. However, I guess in my older age, I am trying not to be so sarcastic, which is my usual M.O. So, I just try to let dumb posts be just that. I have way more in life to worry about. No offense, my friends.And maybe someone, or me, should have flagged it

To EdSails, I indeed plan to use beef, and I plan to make it a real scorcher, even if it results in hostility. This is my first big cook off, and the bang I plan is much hotter than I mentioned in my initial post. I do plan on having some external balance to the chili for those who will likely want: cheese, beans, and milk. I do not think they will last long, so those who come earlier will benefit the most. I look forward to a great show tomorrow, and thank everyone for their input, even the sarcastic ones.

Really, if you use that amount of habaneros, you may hurt yourself in the preparation AND after the first person tastes your chili, no one else will except the macho-ist of the I can eat anything type.

Oh... are you putting any fruit in to your chili? Habaneros match up well with fruit.

Please let us know the results of the cook-off and your chili. It shall be interesting.

ps... wear gloves and goggles when prepping those habaneros. Just a valid warning.